Including a visit to an Elephant Rescue centre!
Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
Depart for Bangkok via Hong Kong.
Arrive in Bangkok and settle into your hotel before a delicious Welcome Dinner.
Begin with a visit to the Grand Palace, a marvel of golden stupas and mosaic-encrusted pillars. See the Coronation Hall, Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple. Later, cruise the Chao Phraya River and conclude with a visit to the Temple of Dawn, whose towering spire is the iconic symbol of Bangkok.
Journey to Ayutthaya, to explore the UNESCO-listed temples and stupas, including Wat LokayaSutharam, featuring showcasing its immense 500-year-old reclining Buddha statue. Return to Bangkok by boat, enjoying lunch while cruising the Chao Phraya River. Later, experience Bangkok’s nightlife with a Tuk Tuk ride. Sample local street foods, and explore the vibrant flower market.
We take a morning flight to Sukhothai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Our first stop is Sukhothai Historical Park to see the well preserved ruins. Then, travel to Si Satchanalai Historical Park to explore Way Chang Lom and What Chedi Jet Thaew. We then drive to Lampang
Discover the charm of rural Lampang with a horse-drawn carriage ride before visiting the revered Wat Phra That Lampang Luang temple.
We travel to Chiang Mai and visit the popular artisan's street where traditional decorative objects are made. Later we enjoy a cruise on the Mae Ping River and visit Chiang Mai's largest market.
Visit an elephant camp rescue center to learn about and interact with these incredible animals.
Our Chiang Mai tour includes the historic city walls, gates, and moat, the iconic Three Kings Monument, several of the city’s most important temples, and the Arts and Cultural Center. Lunch features a Northern Thai specialty, Khao Soy. Later, we ascend Mount Suthep by cable car to enjoy magnificent views over the Chiang Mai Valley.
We journey through mountains and tropical jungle to Chiang Rai, stopping at Mae Ka Jan hot springs, the striking White Temple, Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, and the Oub Kham Museum, showcasing Northern Thailand’s rich tribal art and heritage.
Head to Doi Mae Salong to visit hill tribe villages and a tea plantation. Conclude at the famous Golden Triangle, where the Mekong River divides Laos, Burma, and Thailand, historically the centre of the opium trade.
Fly to the tropical island of Phuket and transfer to your beach resort hotel. Take the day to enjoy the resort facilities and beautiful beaches.
Cruise enchanting Phang Nga Bay aboard a traditional Chinese junk boat, including a visit to James Bond Island. Transfer to a long-tailed speed boat to explore Koh Panyi, an 18th-century sea gypsy village built on stilts. See a mangrove delta and the Grotto Cave. Savour a sumptuous Thai buffet against a backdrop of stunning seascapes. Enjoy a swim before returning to the hotel.
Day at leisure to enjoy the resort.
Return to Bangkok, then transfer to Ayutthaya and see the “Arts of the Kingdom,” an impressive museum and official Throne Hall of the King of Thailand. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel, established in 1879. Dine at low tables in the teak and marble hall while enjoying finely crafted Thai cuisine, classical music, and traditional dancing.
Fly home via Hong Kong.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
